(DALLAS, TX)      According to The Consumer Team radio program, consumers who fail to get a second opinion on consumer purchases are leaving themselves much more likely to getting a bad deal.   Pete Thomson, host of The Consumer Team radio program, says that second opinions are vital to consumer success.  Thomson said, “Getting second opinion is a foundation part of getting a good deal.  A second opinion can be getting multiple bids on a home repair project or just researching the best paper towels to buy online.   And, as we talk about on The Consumer Team, there are situations that warrant getting more than a second opinion.”

Thomson, a consumer advocacy journalist and talk show host , says that there are several areas that consumers should keep in mind when getting a second bid or opinion.  Thomson added, “The more expensive or important the purchase, the most appropriate it is to get multiple bids, even beyond a second opinion.   Friends and neighbors can be a good source of references but it’s important that you determine whether the friend is giving you a reference based on experience rather than friendship.   So, for example, I would be careful of hiring a contractor because they’re related to a friend or neighbor.   Rather, I’d be more comfortable with a reference that’s based on quality of work.”

Even when getting multiple bids, consumers can still be tricked into making a bad decision, according to Thomson.   He continued, “Consumers have to be very careful when getting references.   It’s relatively easy for a contractor to set up several people who will give glowing reports to consumers.  We recommend asking for references that have jobs in progress.   We believe you’re more likely to get honest feedback that way.”   Beyond references, Thomson suggests doing thorough research on the internet.    Thomson added, “When using the web it’s important to look for a trend.   We’re finding more and more scam sites that are listing negative comments about small business people as way to get the business to pay for their service of removing the negative comments.   On the other hand, we see increasing numbers of reviews and comments that are planted by a business.  What we believe is most important is the overall trend of comments on the web.”

The downside to getting multiple opinions can be the time involved.    According to Thomson, that’s one of the reasons he started doing consumer advocacy talk radio radio over 10 years ago.   The Consumer Team radio program, which airs Saturdays from 5-7PM (Central) on KRLD Radio, features sponsors that are ‘Consumer Team certified’.   Thomson said the sponsors of  The Consumer Team are thoroughly vetted prior to being allowed on the air.   Thomson said, “We realize that our listeners put a great deal of trust in our recommendations.   All of our local experts are checked out before they’re added to The Consumer Team.   We still recommend that consumers get multiple opinions.  Still it’s nice and time saving to know that one of the sources you’re talking to has been checked out and vetted ahead of time.”

The Consumer Team is broadcast from 5-7PM Saturdays on 1080 KRLD in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas.  KRLD is the leading news station in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market.   The Consumer Team features consumer tips, information and research designed to help listeners in the DFW Metroplex and beyond make better consumer and shopping decisions.   From major purchases to everyday shopping in-store or online, Thomson calls The Consumer Team the ‘voice of the consumer.’  Pete Thomson has been working in the area of consumer advocacy for over 10 years.  He founded The Consumer Team with a mission to help Dallas and Ft. Worth consumers save time, money and grief in the consumer lives.  Thomson is also president/CEO of McQ Media, a Dallas based marketing and advertising firm.

To learn more about The Consumer Team and to listen live go to http://www.myconsumerteam.com   The Consumer Team is produced by McQ Media Inc, Dallas, Texas.